Testing D-day for Ducati

Loris Capirossi believes the crunch test of how serious a threat Ducati’s new GP7 800cc machine will pose 2007 MotoGP world championship will come in the last two winter test sessions in Qatar and Jerez.

Capirossi is confident that if the new GP7 works well in Qatar and Jerez that he will have the base to build on for the rest of the year as he goes in search of his first premier class world title. 

He said: “The most important thing now for us is to understand the next two tracks.

 “Last November in Jerez our competitiveness was really bad and the bike we use now is completely different for Qatar and Jerez. If we can go out from the next two tests in a good position then for sure we are ready to make a good season.”

Looking ahead to Qatar after his impressive outing in Phillip Island where he was second quickest on race tyres behind Dani Pedrosa, Capirossi said: “Normally our bike works very well at Phillip Island.

 “It’s a good track for us even in 2004 when our bike was bad we finished on the podium.

 “And it’s also good for our 800. Usually when you have a good bike in Sepang and Phillip Island like we had at the last two tests, the rest of the tracks are OK